Classic Airframes

1/48 Avro Anson Mk.I (Late Version), kit# 4118 1/48 Avro Anson Mk.I (Late Export),   kit# 4119

First Look by  John Ratzenberger, IPMS# 40196

MSRP: $55.00 Shipping now !! Classic Airframes adds two more members to its Anson family with the main production variant, the Mk.I with the "upright" windscreen, which they are calling "late". As with the two "early" kits, the only difference between the two "late" kits is the decals provided. As for the difference between the "early" and "late" kits, there are just two -- the upright windscreen and the absence of the long-aileron option. The instruction sheet has been revised to eliminate the aileron option; the two long aileron parts are still on the trees but not X-d out so don't go looking for where to use these extra parts. So, rather than repeat myself, please see my build-review of Classic Airframes Anson Mk.I (Early & Export Early) on this website for details on the aircraft, the original kits, and the options. The "Mk.I Late" kit gives you a single decal sheet with 3 schemes: -- 500 Sqdn RAF, ca 1940; N9732, MK*V, camouflaged Dark Green/Earth, Aluminum under. -- unk RCAF, ca 1942; 6656, overall Yellow. -- unk RCAF, ca 1942; 9982, Dark Green/Earth with Yellow under, yellow rear fuselage, and yellow boxes overwing. The two RCAF birds do not have the turret. The 3rd one, 9982, is probably the first one I'll do. I have one photo of 6656 that shows the right side cockpit glass covered/replaced to protect from the cold, but I do not know the date of that photo so doing it with all glass could also be correct. The "Late Export" kit has a single sheet with 4 schemes: -- Greek Air Force, N.Africa, ca 1941; camouflaged in DG/DE & Night, coded N56. -- Turkish Air Force, ca 1940; camouflaged Dark Green over Sky Blue. -- No 5 SFTS, RAAF, ca 1945; N4960, overall Yellow. -- RAAF Survey Flight, ca 1946; MG973, SU*D, overall Aluminum. The two RAAF ships do not have turrets -- also these are the only two I do not have pictures of, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. I find the "Export" schemes somewhat uninspiring given all the possibilities.

I would hope the "late" Anson inspires some decal makers, even CA themselves -- national insignia and letter/number sheets of the appropriate sizes, usually larger than the standard fighter markings that are out, although sometimes 1/72 bomber codes will suffice. There are just so many interesting things one can do with the Anson Mk.I, early or late -- numerous countries, use as trainers, ambulances, commo/liaison, and operational aircraft, etc. Classic Airframes has to be congratulated for producing the Anson family and doing a quality job of it. I probably will not build past the Mk.I "early/late" kits (I have 4 total), but I am interested to see how many variants they handle and how far they take it. Until CA gets into later marks with different fuselage shape, it appears they have done a good job designing the kit so changes in engine, cowling, and cockpit configuration, can be handled by substituted parts and this opens many options for mix and match among kits to reflect other variants. As I said in the "early" review, I would think there is a big market in the Commonwealth countries, especially Canada and Australia, for the Anson family. But "U.S." builders ought to take a look at this kit. As expected with a CA kit, work is required. But as also expected, one can then have a good model of a true "Classic Airframe". I recommend the CA Anson family to experienced modelers, whether they "do British" or not, who want a great option for something other than the ordinary killing-machines and for colorful, interesting, and different markings. References: I recommend the Warpaint as a minimum reference, the next two if you get hooked, and the rest if you go fanatic ... · Avro Anson, Warpaint #53; Alan W Hall, Warpaint Books · The Avro Anson Mks I,III,IV,X; Alan W Hall & Eric Taylor, Almark Publications, 1972 · The Anson File, Ray Sturtivant, Air Britain Publ, 1988 · Pilot's Notes for the Anson I, Air Ministry reprint. · The Chronicles of Faithful Annie, Air Enthusiast #42, 1991? · Avro Anson Air Test, Vintage Aircraft #5, Jul-Sep 1977 · Avro Anson - Faithful Annie, Wings v1 #7, 1977? · Britain's Military Training Aircraft, Ray Sturtivant, Haynes Publ, 1987 · British Warplanes of World War II, Daniel J Marsh, ed, Aerospace Publishing, 1998 · Classic World War II Aircraft Cutaways, Bill Gunston, Osprey · Avro Anson, Harry Holmes (I do not have this book - it is supposedly due-in, but ...)

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